A Handmade Tree

As Tilly is able to stay up longer and longer, I am finding it best to have smaller and smaller projects on the go, so that it is still possible to get something sewn and finished in a day. And so, I've built up quite a collection of handmade ornaments for our tree this year. 

The little house, to symbolise our first year in our own home. The cross stitch heart, which reminds me of all the Danish-style Christmases I had growing up. Wool felt hearts, for all the warmth and love that surround us. Red and white felt do-dahs, because they are the fabrics I have most of. And little embroidered mittens, which can be picked off the tree and put onto Tilly's hands on chilly days.

On the Needles

I'm really working hard on Christmas gifts at the moment, and have decided that warm and cosy fingerless mittens are the way to go this year!

Right now, I'm finishing up a pair for my brother, (who never reads this, so I'm safe!) in the colours of his favourite English football team: Newcastle United.

As he's quite a tall guy, I changed my normal pattern a bit. I found that ribbing the mittens all the way from wrist to fingers looked a bit strange when stretched over big hands, so I simply did the cuff in rib stitch, and then stocking stitched the rest.

A very easy pattern for these 'Man Mitts':

I used two colours (A: black, B: grey), and size 9 needles

Cast on 36 stitches

Rows 1-4: Use colour A, rib stitch (knit 2, purl 2, repeat)

Rows 5-6: Use B, rib stitch

Rows 7-8: Use A, rib stitch

Rows 9-12: Use B, rib stitch

Rows 13-14: Use A, rib stitch

Rows 15-16: Use B, rib stitch (B can be cut as it won't be used again)

Rows 17-18: Use A, rib stitch

Rows 19-40: Use A, stocking stitch (knit one row, purl the next row, repeat)

Cast off!

How easy? So really, you just make a big patterned rectangle, and then take the two sides together and sew it up with mattress stitch (leaving room just above the last stripe of B for the thumb).

Enjoy!

xo

Off the Needles

Funky chunky fingerless mittens! Knit very simply as a long, straight rectangle, and then sewn up to make them round, leaving a hole for the thumb. These are so much fun to make, especially with stripes and bright colours!

(Monkey proves that he can pat his head and rub his tummy while wearing mittens that really don't fit him all that well!)